Remember these vintage above-ground pools – the kind that were big enough to actually swim in, but that you didn’t need to dig a big hole for?
Summer
See how 50s swimsuits brought ruffles, bright colors and curve-loving cuts to summer fashion, with bold designs from Jantzen, Catalina and Cole of California.
1950s summer clothes brought cool cottons, bold stripes and backyard-ready style to sunny days. Here’s a look back at fun warm-weather fashion.
Whether for a day at the beach or in the pool, these inflatable vintage pool floats and loungers gave people of all ages a new way to enjoy the water.
’70s hairstyles were feathery – shiny – bouncy. Here are some real vintage tips from salon experts so women in the disco decade could always keep their hair stylish.
These 60+ vintage patio furniture sets – charming tables, chairs, chaises and more – were as popular in the 1940s through the 1970s as they are now.
Not only is pineapple amazing on its own, it also can be a delicious ingredient in lots of recipes — like this sunburst chicken stir-fry recipe from the 80s.
You never heard of frog lemonade? Probably not — it’s a Southern drink that is perfectly delicious, invented back in New Orleans, Louisiana around 1894.
See how gazebos became one of America’s favorite outdoor retreats with a look back at some vintage styles and backyard designs!
The charm of a New York City summer vacation — the ideal place for a summer resort? — lies in the unrivaled transportation facilities of the great seaport.
This recipe for savory crescent chicken squares was a winner at the Pillsbury Bake-Off contest in the ’70s because it was tasty and so easy to make.
Before air conditioning and refrigerators existed, see some of the ways people managed to stay cool in summer during the great New York heat wave of 1911!
Step back into the 1960s and discover how swimwear went from simple to splashy with vintage photos that bring this iconic beach fashion to life.
Right from the ’50s, here are some classic tips to keep your kitchen cool when it’s hot outside, plus some easy recipes to help you beat the heat.
Take a look at these modest old-fashioned swimsuits for men and women, seen on real beachgoers and early movie actresses, with many high-quality and colorized vintage photos!
Teens and girls were wild about having blonde hair in the ’70s, trying at-home methods and a variety of new products to lighten and brighten their hair.
Sometimes the basics are all one needs for memorable adventures. Take a look at some vintage tents that were available in the last century!
Backyard decks have become a staple of American architecture for relaxation and socializing. See dozens of different deck designs from the second half of the 20th century here.
Take a look back at the history of Knott’s Berry Farm – the fun California amusement park known as a Disneyland alternative, but one that boasted its very themes and even a ghost town.
These little vintage plastic wading pools were the perfect size to help introduce babies and children to water fun in the safety of their own shallow kiddie pools!
This curated collection of vintage photographs invites you to explore the classic charm of screened-in porches, patios, lanais, and pool enclosures from bygone decades.
With their daring cuts and bold designs, 1970s swimwear wasn’t just about catching some sun – it was about making waves.
Rediscover the most tantalizing, old-fashioned sandwich fillings that once graced the humble bread slices of yesteryear.
Rewind to the summer of ’77 — an era of iconic fashion trends and memorable tunes — and rediscover some of the best non-alcoholic drinks from that time.
Take a look at these beautiful sequined ornaments and beaded fruit crafts from the 1960s & 1970s for a little DIY inspiration!
As charmingly retro as they seem, small striped outdoor tents (also called palmetto or lawn tents) were nothing new in the 1960s and 1970s — in fact, they have been used for centuries.
Here are 38 different classic punch recipes to try — none with alcohol as an ingredient. The fruit juices and different varieties of carbonated waters and ginger ales will satisfy the palate, and cool you off in a most refreshing manner.
You can think of these Victorian chocolate and coffee frappe recipes as precursors to Starbucks’ Frappuccino. You can even combine a couple and make an icy mocha frap of your own, courtesy of these recipes from the 19th century!
Five flavors of whipped gelatin form this colorful, spectacular dessert: a rainbow cake – an eye-catching red, pink, orange, green and purple layered dessert recipe!
Remember these chocolate desserts made with Oreo crumbs that look like you’re eating straight out of the garden — Dirt pie and dirt cups? Here’s how to make these simple, silly desserts the retro ’90s way.
Squirt soda, not sweet like other soft drinks. In fact, it’s definitely dry. It starts with sun-ripened citrus fruit and ends up with natural dryness, a quality never before achieved in soft drinks.
This carefree tie-on poncho is cut in just four identical pieces and put together with simple straight sewing. Best of all, it has a dozen uses, can be made in any number of different fabrics, and cut to any length you like.
Retro paper plates, napkins, placemats, cups and more – all affordable and all disposable – were new and popular in the ’60s. Here’s a look back at some of the products & patterns available then!
On the top of one of the taller buildings of the time, the Hotel Majestic’s roof garden was where the elite partied back around the turn of the century.
As long as there have been kids, there have been _bored_ kids. For parents in the ’60s, one magazine offered these great old-fashioned ways to have fun.
This pink lemonade ice cream cake is surprisingly easy to make – it starts with a boxed cake mix, and gets dressed up with filling and frosting. Try it!
Gone on Grape? Crazy for Cola? Batty about Birch? Whatever your soda pop passion, this retro recipe for soda pop ice cream is a cool, new way to enjoy more of it.
We’ve gathered recipes, tips and more great picnic ideas from the ’70s so you can have a fab summer celebration, retro-style!
A Victorian garden party may extend from afternoon into evening, or it may be entirely an evening affair — and here were the best ways to set everything up.
Retro pool toys like these plastic inflatables made summer twice as fun when you could float and play and create pretend worlds right in the swimming pool!
Here’s a retro recipe for a pink raspberry-angel food dessert that’s super easy to make with marshmallows and gelatin, and requires no baking.
Fashionable vintage parasols could include materials like lace, chiffon, fishnet, satin ribbon, and of every hue. Here are a few of the styles from long ago!
The sight of a golden lemon suggests ice water, sugar and a straw, in other words: good old-fashioned lemonade recipes. The lemon is the family’s best friend when the sun is sizzling.
As you can see from these vintage Coney Island photos & postcards, This beach area just outside New York City was one of the most popular resorts in the United States.
Hail the red, white and blueberry for a simple summer dessert that’s frozen fantastic. Hurray for the magic of Eagle Brand! It’s the secret to this
Ideas for more than 20 vintage recipes for hot dogs, including Pronto dogs, Frank-roll slices, hotdog boats, hot dog-bacon roll-ups, franks in blankets, Snappy frank-cheese rolls and lots more. Check ’em out!
It’s surprising what you can do with watermelon – cook it, chill it, pickle it – for a side dish, salad, dessert, drink, relish or topping. Here are some great watermelon recipes for you to try!
This summer party menu from 1970 features vintage recipes, themed dishes and party planning tips that turned teen cookouts into charming events.
For the boat, the beach, around the pool, or just a quiet drink on the porch, you’re invited you to try these summer rum drinks! Salud!
At first glance, vegetable ice cream looks like a terrible idea… but it’s actually not quite that bizarre when you realize these aren’t desserts, but are meant to be served as a salad, or a light and savory chilled palate refresher.
Summer parties and entertaining duties never cease — there are always garden fetes, weekends, luncheons and bridge suppers to be planned and executed.
Here’s a simple summer recipe that you can cook right on the grill! This delicious cheddar bean bake recipe makes the perfect side dish.
